Married couple arrested after New London robbery

Richard Halapin

Published July 03. 2014 6:54AM | Updated July 03. 2014 7:01AM

New London — A married couple were arrested Wednesday after police said they were involved in the robbery of an employee who worked at Temporaries of New England, a temporary employment agency, located at 78 Howard St.

Police said they responded to the agency shortly before 5:30 p.m. When police arrived at the scene, they saw that several vehicles were either struck or run off the road by a stolen vehicle.

The victim told police that the robber, an employee of the agency, had struggled with her as he tried to steal her purse. The man, later identified as Richard Halapin, stole the victim’s wallet and disabled the office phone as she attempted to call 911.

The victim was slightly injured during the struggle, but refused medical treatment.

Police said Halapin fled the scene in the victim’s car. A description of the car was broadcast to all responding units, which included information that Halapin was driving the car and a white female, later identified as Jennifer Casteel, was a passenger.

Police quickly developed information on Casteel’s whereabouts and she was found on Truman Street. Police said they learned that Halapin was hiding under a bed in an upstairs apartment at 103 Truman St.

Halapin was found under the bed and was coaxed from hiding by a New London police K-9. Police said Halapin surrendered peacefully.